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Network: May, An Inauspicious Arrival
The Watches
Fourth wall characters will not be able to make their own posts in the communities, so they may use this post to make "network posts" of their own by top-leveling. The log post is right over here. |
The Watches
Fourth wall characters will not be able to make their own posts in the communities, so they may use this post to make "network posts" of their own by top-leveling. The log post is right over here. |
text, un: xinmo
[ More a curious observation than any manner of accusation; enough to pique his interest with the notion there's more to this than someone bartering over junk metal for a monetary loss. ]
No man exchanges precious gems for scrap and calls it an even trade.
no subject
You're right, though. "Priceless" is subjective.
no subject
Are you also the kind of man who tosses aside everything that's outlived its usefulness?
[ Luo Binghe has his own long history with fool's gold in the form of a jade piece. One once thought to be worth its weight in gold in his mother's hand, and remained as such long after she was gone. Even despite the fact it held no monetary value beyond acting as an imitation to swindle from the pockets of the poor. ]
Keep them.
A piece or two of metal shouldn't be that hard to find, lying around somewhere.
no subject
(it sounds abrasive, but wuxian's never been a polite man. he's never been one to track down a nicer way to put things, either, preferring the simplest and most direct routes in life. whoever this is is a stranger to him, and strangers are transient.)
I'll do what I like with the jade. If you wish to stop me, I suggest finding some metal.
no subject
[ No, that touches a little too close to home. And the whole jade business just seals the deal. ]
Finding the man throwing away his fortune seems more reasonable than whittling away my time doing anything else.
[ Binghe's not going to directly concede to that demand, but the request to meet up should be enough of a hint that he's yet to sweep that option off the table. ]
no subject
Still, I won't change my mind. But if you feel so strongly, find me.
(binghe, you're so stubborn (coming from another stubborn man).
he's not too difficult to track down, considering he's been seated outside of the coven. seems like a busy thoroughfare, even if his next option was one of the town squares. but to recognize an essentially anonymous individual in a sea of faces is impossible—still, wuxian keeps a weather eye on the front gates.)
no subject
If so every building would be a palace and each piece of armor worth more than risking a tarnish from use.
[ Fresh off the boat, he can only speak from his own experiences with certainty as opposed to voicing anything concerning this topsy-turvy world or the man's own. But it should stand to reason that none differ so much in their logic that trash is considered treasure. ]
And how might I find you, exactly?
By propositioning every man in sight for his wares?
[ It's one thing to be a tease and another to just hang someone out to dry, Wuxian. Neither party has an inkling of how to spot the other, save for a few clues. But that truly doesn't stop him from passing the sea of meandering souls beyond the coven to look for this ridiculous man for reasons he can't begin to fathom. ]
no subject
(a soft "hm," as he considers the first messages, cross-legged in the shade of the walls of the coven building. if there's anyone who stands out starkly against the crowd, it's wuxian. his hanfu looks unlike the style of the city, in white and muted cyan, a freeze frame of a bygone age with modern additions.
like the watch on his wrist that enables their communication.
binghe shares this foreign energy, which makes wuxian's roaming stare linger as he passes.)
And to answer your question: since now. I say that my jade is worth a scrap of copper or iron and it is. That is all.
The world you describe sounds like a peaceful one. Nothing wrong with that.
no subject
Even when Wuxian's attire ends up catching his eye as Binghe rakes a fleeting glance through the street, striking as familiar in ways concerning the culture it hails from, without further clues that figure is just another stranger in the crowd. ]
I don't have the patience to play cat and mouse with you all day.
Black robes, silver trim, with two swords at my side. Do you see me or not?
[ This hardly gives anyone the upper hand here but the man presently leading Binghe around by his nose. Even if he's spotted there's no guarantee that this strange character will give himself up easily now that he's decided to be coy and turn a simple encounter into this drawn-out evasion.
A more reasonable man would sense this isn't worth the effort and throw in the towel. That man is not Luo Binghe by any stretch of the imagination. Now that he's started on this venture every twist and turn just makes him all the more determined to find the source of his frustration. ]
Whatever peaceful world you're talking about, I don't know it.
A place where children are starved and beaten or have to watch as loved ones are stolen from their beds isn't good enough to call such a thing.
[ To be fair, the one stolen away had lost their soul and Luo Binghe was trying to call it back; but his own subjective view of the situation justifies going to any lengths for that person. ]
no subject
(closing his eyes with a rather put-upon sigh, wuxian clasps his hands behind his back and sees to luo binghe. his approach is as benign as it is slow, finding him just past the coven gates with a turn of his head down the main street. black-and-silver, armed, hopefully sensible. he's also some inches taller, cutting an imposing figure. still, this is a conversation best had in person.
it's escalated into something he doesn't care to speak casually about, despite his simple request for the metals he'd like to test his magic on, and text messages always did ruin tone. the one binghe is addressed with is exceedingly level. tempered and quiet, yet it carries well across the crowd.)
Would you like to speak in private?
no subject
Considering how the last few of Binghe's remarks were rather cutting one might think him ready to unload upon a man who has already stirred up his irritation and worn down what little remains of an already short fuse.
What happens is instead nothing of the sort, but not because he isn't prone to speaking his mind in person just as much as he is over the device. That mollifying voice, nostalgic in tone even when its owner is not at all known to him, does the job of quelling whatever may lie in wait upon his tongue.
He notices that much; conscious of it like a balm soothing over a present hurt. It weaves through and settles any spark of anger just as a similar voice had years and years ago. Level headed once more, if his mood isn't calm in equal measure to his companion's then at least it's to degrees that make cordial retorts a feasible thing. ]
Fine by me. [ Broad shoulders roll in a leisured shrug that sets dark layered robes into motion. ] It's preferable to talking over a crowd, anyway.
[ Unlike his companion Binghe strides over without any further preamble or the gracious breadth of space Wuxian had given him. Not with the intention to intimidate but carrying an aura of it regardless, he only stills when close enough to get a better look at the man who has drawn Luo Binghe to his side. ]
Lead the way.
no subject
they share a middling pace and wuxian is an untalkative man, given to silence that pervades despite his intentions to speak with binghe.
it seems the amount of time from his own history as a cultivator to this moment has left him isolated, preferring to hone himself in seclusion than to rely on others for company—evidently, using his voice as often as he's had to in recent years is challenging, albeit good practice for a modern future that relies on communication. like this discussion with binghe, who's only checked on when they come to a stop at a small depression where he'd been relaxing.)
Don't be bothered by the selling of the jade; I've given this prior thought. (not much by way of explanation, but he also feels he's not required to give one.
hands still held behind, the press of wrapped arms odd without the cool press of metal against his lower back, wuxian makes no effort to conceal the way he sizes the man up. his gaze sinks, then raises, finding it an odd comfort to be in the presence of someone similarly dressed. he'll understand what it means to be here, then, as he does. though, whether or not he intends to help the people in this place is yet to be determined.)
It's clear to me your investment in this is personal. Tell me more, so I may understand it.